Typewriter



Jan. 12, 1932. RB LL 1 1,841,110

1 1 TYPEWRITER Filed Dec. 3. 192 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. GARBELL Jan. 12, 1932.

I TYPEWRITER Filed Dc. 3, 192 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 12, 1932. M. GARBELL 1,841,110

TYPEWRITER Filed Dec. 5, 192' 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jaye/232" Jan. 12, 1932. M. GARBELL 1,841,110

TYPEWRITERY Filed Dec. '5, 192' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE MAX GAB/BELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB '10 VICTOR ADDING- COHPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS TYPEWRITEB Application filed December a, 1927. semi Io. 237,392.

My invention relates to typewriting ma- :hines and it has particular relation to the ;ypewriter key lever and type bar actions ised therein.

The various elements in the'actions which I iereinafter describe are reduced to a mininum so far as moving parts are concerned md at the same time are so arranged that a )ositive uniform and easy action is obtained.

Particularly my invention contemplates he equalization of the striking pressure imarted to the type bar so that the same reailt may. be-obtained when striking a key near the center of the machine as from strikng a key in what are colloquially termed the end keys, that is, the keys at the sides of he machine. These latter keys are, in the ilmost universally used touch typewriting ystem struck with the little finger. The rressure imparted to such end key is, thereore, markedly less than can be gotten from triking the key with one of the other fingers. vIoreover, the side or end. keys are, due to be necessary arrangement thereof in the mahine, further removed from the printing iointthan arethe middle keys.

It. so happens, therefore, that those keys vhich are hardest to operate must be operated y the weakest finger. This unfortunate cinder of detrimental features operates to educe the uniformity of writing in the touch system of typewriting.

Moreover,- by reason of the manner in rhich the type bars are necessarily arranged a order to be swung to. a central and comion printing point by keys which are ar anged in rows (BXiIGIldlIl'! transversely and arallel tothe front of the machine, a com- -ensatory connection must be made to inare uniformity of action.

In the machine which I shall hereinafter escribe, I utilize an arrangement of uniersal bars in nested relation to operate cer- 1111 essential mechanisms. These universal ars are, as more'fully explained in my coending applications Serial No. 25,491, filed rpril 24. 1925 and Serial'No. 229,439, filed lctober 28,. 1927, arranged in nested formaon and extend across the machine under the ction. Upon depression of the type keys versal bars are uniform irrespective of whether a middle'or a side key is struck-- I further arrange the aforesaid action so that only three members are required to transmit the pressure from any one key to the prlnting point. That is to say, the keylevers are pivotal-ly'mounted'and are connected to pivotally mounted intermediate levers. These latter are directly connected to type bars so that the pressure and energy imparted to thekey-lever button by the finger is not lost or vitiated, by reason of transmission' through a number of connecting elements as is the case in substantially all typewriter actions with which I am familiar.

Because of the particular relation between the action and the universal bars, I am able to obtain a dead key operation without in any wise changing the character of the action. This in itself is of marked advantage, since my machine may, without expensive alteration, be sold in those countries where it is vital that certain accent marks be struck without the carriage being spaced thereafter.

As I have described in my aforesaid copending application Serial Nos. 25,491 and 229,439 and in my copending applicationSerial ,No; 720,255, filed June 16,1924, the intermediate levers are provided with portions which strike progressively against the two universal bars. It is not believed necessary to enlarge upon the function of said universal bars, since the art understands their use. Suffice to say,- therefore, that one of these bars upon depression operates the escapement action of the mechanism and thereby spaces the carriage in a letter-by-letter movement upon each actuation'of any of the key buttons or upon the actuation of the spacing bar and lever.

The other universal. bar, which in my machine is in nested relation and closely parallel to the e scapementban-functions to throw or vibrate the ribbon into printing position and further to space the ribbon and automatically to reverse the same. Such an arrangement of the universal bars is vitally important in insuring a maximum efficiency so far as my aforesaid dead key ac.- tion is concerned. Because of the manner in which the bars are placed, it is a very simple matter to cause any selected key button to actuate its associated type bar to print a character and at the same time to insure that the carriage will not be spaced when said character is'printed.

Such operation is of course required when a German umlaut, a French grave or acute accent, and like diacritical or other markings in any language are to be placed above or below a letter. In such a case, the opera tor desiring to print a vowel or other character with the accent or umlaut strikes the key corresponding to that particular accent mark whereupon the same is printed by reason of'the fact that my dead key action is arranged to throw the ribbon in printing position.

However, by cutting out a portion of the intermediate lever at the point where, in normal operation, the escapement bar would be struck, I prevent the actuation of said escapement bar, and therefore, the carriage is not spaced upon the depression of said accentor dead key. This briefly is one of the marked advantages of the action which I will hereafter describe and which will be more fully referred to in the said description.

My invention may be better understood in connection with the drawings which accompany said detailed description and which are used in connection therewith, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typewriter stripped of all portions which are non-essential to impart to those skilled in the art an understanding of the elements utilized in my typewriter action and the operation thereof, it being understood, however, that these drawings represent in all respects an operative-reduction to practice of the said invention and that the same are shown with certain parts eliminated for purposes of illustration only;

Fig. 2 is a side, elevational view of a machine embodying my invention with some of the portions partially in section, the keys shown being those which are in the middle of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig 2. but illustrates other keys of the action;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, elevational, secti'onal view taken from the side ofthe machine and showing particularly the manner in which the action is adapted and utilized in dead key operation;

Fig. 5 is an elevational, perspective view somewhat similar to Fig. 1 but with the machine turned to more clearly disclose some parts which are more or less hidden in said Fig. 1, and particularly showing the form of the unitary escapement bracket; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of an important part of the space bar mechanism. 1

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated the action as mounted generally in a frame portion comprising a bottom member 10 having side members 11 and 12 mounted thereupon. A channel 13' extends across the frame near the rear thereof and is utilized for supporting certain portions of-the machine. The function of this channel and other frame members per se, is more fully described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,800,199, granted April 14, 1931..

Another channel or comb member 14 also extends transversely of the machine and being mounted on the pivot supporting mem-- ber 14 are designated as 15 15 15 and 15 and are positioned respectively in the firstsecond, third and fourth banks of keys, it being necessary in the hereinafter description to discuss the manner in which the vari ous banks are proportionately joined to certain other parts of the action to insure a smooth and uniform operation.

Said key levers as they extend rearwardly are individually'restrained in their sidewise movement by slots 16 in the key lever comb member 17. It will be observed that said key levers are mounted on a wire 18 which is held in place in the channel member 14, as indicated in the hereinbefore referred to Patent No. 1,733,788.

Each of the key levers is provided with a lug 1 9, integrallyformed therewith and provided with a pin 20. The latter is seated and may move longitudinally in a slot 21 of an intermediate lever 22. Each key lever has associated therewith one of said intermediate levers, but I have shown only as many key levers with their associated levers as are necessary to illustrate my novel action, it being impractical to show all the said levers with their associated levers and bars. However, the aforesaid intermediate levers 22 are pivotally mounted on a wire 23 which is rigidly seated in a segmental rib 24 forming a portion of my improved segment member 26, This segment member and the specific manner of mounting the movable members associated therewith are more fully described in my copending application Serial No. 236,- 948, filed December 1, 1927.

As best shown. in Figs. 1 and 2, the aforesaid intermediate levers comprise a front, or pivotally mounted, portion, a slotted portion of this lower edge a vertical segmental gear portion 29 is formed. Said portion 29 is provided with a plurality of teeth'30 on its inner or concave edge which mesh with complementary teeth 31 on the rear or pivot edge of the type bar 32. Said-typo bars carry type 33 at their front or platen striking ends. A depression ofa key lever operates to pull intermediate lever 22 downwardly which, in turn through the intermeshing of the teeth 30 and 31, throws the typewbar into the position shown in Fig. 4. Intthis latter position the type 33 strikes a platen 34 upon'which platen the paper or other material being written upon is placed. In order to illustrate an operative embodiment of my invention, I have shown said platen 34 as mounted in end pieces 35, the latter being secured to the upper rail 36 of the movable carriage assembly. A lower rail 37 supports and forms a bearing for said upper rail 36 and is in turn secured to pivotally mounted brackets 38, said brackets being movable about an axis 39. Said pivotally mounted carriage assembly is more fully describedin my Patent No. 1,7 87,- 574, granted January 6, 1931, and in my copending application, Serial No. 229,437, filed October 28, 1927.

' I have also shown the elements of the escapement mechanism in order to illustrate its relation to, and operatlon by, an escapement universal bar 40, which bar extends I across the machine, asbest shown in Fig. 1

and under the foot portions 28 of all the intermediate levers. Said bar is rigidly carried on pivotally mounted arms 41 and 42,

' which arms are pivoted respectively at 43 and 44 and have their rear portions extending in proximity with stop. members 45 and 46.

When the'bar 40 is depressed, an escapement mechanism bracket 47 is rocked, therebyoperating holding and spacing dogs on a dog-carrying member 48. Said clogs move in and out of engagement with teeth on an .escapement wheel 49, which wheel is on the same shaft as a feed wheel 50, the latter being'in engagement with a rack carried by the platen carriage and insuring space-by-space movement of the latter when the said bar 40 is depressed.

I consider the above explanation of my escapement mechanism sufiicient for the purposes of this application, but the same is even more fully described and claimed in mv aforesaid copending applications Serial Nos. 25,491 and 229,439.

Another universal bar"51 is positioned in nested relation to the first described bar 40,

and is hereafter termed the ribbon universal 'bar, since the actuation thereof operates to vibrate the ribbon into printing position and also to feed the ribbon from spool to spool.

Said bar 51 is carried on arms 52 and 53, which are pivoted on the same center as are the aforementioned arms 41 and 42. In the same manner, the arms 52 and 53 extend rear- Wardly and have their limits of movement defined by the stop members 45 and 46, it being noticed that saidstop. members 45 and 46 are more fully described in my copending applications Serial Nos. 25,491 and 229,439, just referred to.

The depression of said ribbon bar 51 serves to actuate the ribbon vibrator through the medium of a member 54 which is attached to said .vibrator mechanism. I have still further described and claimed the ribbon vibrator mechanism in my copending applications Serial No. 37,085, filed June 15, 1925, and Serial No. 245,791, filed January 10, 1928.

From the above description, however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my invention contemplates a compact universal bar system. The bars are in nested relation and therefore take up very little room. They are close together so that they may be actuated by an individual element. Furthermore, because of their parallel connection and transverse disposition underneath the foot portions 28 of the intermediate I levers, I am able to secure a very uniform operation thereof. Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown the manner in which the type bars and the intermediate levers are disposed in segmental formation so that said type bars may be brought to a common printing point and yet be disposed in a compact and easily assembled manner. It will, moreover, be seen that the intermediate levers are likewise disposed and are, in fact pair by pair, parallel to the type bar with which they are associated.

The aforesaid arcuate or segmental disposition-of the intermediate levers has several advantages in so far as contributing to the uniformity of my tvpe action, irrespective of which of the keys is struck in the operation.

reference to Fig. 3 where it is apparent that the side lever will strike the bars close to the heel of the foot portion 28, whereas the middle or central lever willstrike said bars at theextreme toe of the foot portion. This is a ,vital feature in my novel construction since it gives a steady, uniform feed to the univer:

sal bars irrespective of which key is struck.

In other words. the combination, of parallel straight and transversely-disposed universal bars underneath a plurality of interbe connected to the. intermediate levers through the slot and pin connections therebetween. Here again the arcuate disposition of the intermediate levers and the hanging of the key levers on a pivotal wire which is transverse and parallel to the front of the machine permits a varying connection between said key levers and said intermediate levers which is productive of the aforesaid uniformity of'touch and action.

Again referring t9 Fig. 1,- it will be observed that the pin and slot connection between the central key lever and the central intermediate lever is such that the powerful blow struck by thefore and middle fingers on the keys disposed at this point is properly utilized, while the connection from the side or end key levers to the intermediate levers is made quite close to the pivot point of the middle intermediate lever, thereby insuring that, even though the power of the finger strokes on the side keys is much weaker than is the case of the mid-keys, the marked increase in leverage compensates for the weakness of the fingers and gives that smooth and uniform touch or action to which I have referred and which forms the essential feature of the present invention.

Another feature resulting from the pin and slot connection is the increase in leverage which is obtained as the type bar is swung to the printing point, In other words, as the.

' intermediate lever moves downwardly the pin on the extension moves toward the pivot point of said lever, thereby increasing the leverage at just the time the operator is about to release the finger pressure; that is to say, this pin and slot connection permits a light snappy stroke and produces the same pos1- tive impression, as would be the case in other actions where the dipor distance the finger must travel is much greater. I

It will be seen, therefore, thatthe particular arrangement of a three-element action, consisting of a key lever, an intermediate lever, and a type bar, together with the transverse nested universal bars, contributes to several distinctive and advantageous features, anyone of which might, individually, be utilized in other combinations. For this reason, as I hereafter more positively reserve, the invention above described may be separable, in some instances, individually to realize the advantages enumerated.

While describing this action I desire to call attention to another feature of the invention which contributes to the desirability of the action as a whole. The employment of an intermediate lever which extends to the rear of the type bar and is directly connected to said type bar through a toothed or geared connection is productive of marked advantages. The unitary or integral character of the intermediate lever overcomes all of those disadvantages which are so inevitably inherent in actions which require more than one link or lever to translate the finger pressure on a key. lever into a striking impression of the type bar.

In fine, the geared connection of an integral intermediate lever gives a steady uniformity of action which cannot be so satisfactorily obtained when other links or levers are utillzed. Then too, the connection between the teeth is markedly positive resulting in a clear distinct impression in writing and an easy am aware, I am-the first to-suggest, in any such relation as that herein disclosed, the use of an intermediate lever, consisting of one intermediate piece, between the key lever and the type bar. Again, the manner of connectmg the key lever to said intermediate lever through the vertical extension carrying the pin, which pin is'seated in the intermediate lever slot, contributes to other advantages. One of the chief of these is the ease of 1SS6I11 bly. As heretofore pointed out, the side keys are connected at varying points with relation to the central keys in order to increase the leverage and compensate for the weaker fingers which strike the side keys. Further, and of vital importance, is the fact that such a connection permits the various banks of keys to be connected to the intermediate levers without special drilling or preparation of each bank of keys. Those skilled in the art will appreciate this advantage and realize'the assembly difiiculties incident to the individual drilling of the intermediate levers of whatever levers are employed in accordance withthe placing of each bank of keys. In my machine, only one slotted form of intermediate lever need be stamped out or otherwise formed. The key levers with their vertical extensions may be fitted into these not actuated, and therefore, the carriage is not progressed. To insure such operation the escapement universal bar must be maintained stationary when a dead key is struck. It is, however, necessary during such dead operation, in order to insure umformity of the ribbon feed as well as to lace the ribbon under the printing point 0 the type that the ribbon universal bar shall be operated. The problem then is to operate the ribbon bar but not to actuate the escapement bar. In my machine this is taken care of in a 'simple'and eflicient manner and I wish to emphasize that the action and disposition of the bars and levers in my machine were designed with the above operation in contemplation. y In other words, the relation between the intermediate lever feet and the transversely disposed and nested universal bars was evolved in part to take care of this dead" key operation;

In order to insure the above described dead key and selective universal bar operation, it

is only necessary to properly shape or cut out the foot portion 0 the intermediate lever which is associated with a dead key so that the escapement universal bar is not actuated when said dead key is depressed. As best shown in Fig. 4 and also in Fig. 1, a recess is formed in whatever intermediate lever or levers is or are associated with the dead keyor ke s. This cut-out portion is so arranged t at, when the intermediate lever foot is depressed, the universal bar 40 will be embraced within said recess 55, wherefrom' said bar 40 will not be struck or depressed.

- However, the other portion of the lever foot,

- invention one need only cut away the foot associated with the key lever of the silent not having been altered in any way, will still strike the ribbon bar 51 in the normal man- .ner' as does the intermediate lever foot associated with anyother key.

When, therefore, an accent or any other key, which for some reason is dead, is

struck the ribbon is thrown into printing position and the im ression is made as said key is operated. owever, because of the cut-out portion 55, the carriage is not escaped, and whenthe next normal key is struck, the character impression will be made under or over the accent which has been immediately theretofore printed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the advantages incident to my invention and the manner in which dead key action niay be obtained therefrom. I As indicated, no substantial alteration of my key lever is needed to silence or deaden any predetermined key. It has heretofore been necessary to effect this action in many different ways and with several complicated mechanisms, in order to provide for this alternative operation or non-operation of the escapement mechanism. In my I portion of the intermediate lever which is key so that the escapement universal bar will not be operated.

In my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 25,491, are incorporated claims directed broadly to an or anization of parts which will realize such ead action, since in that application I have shown a somewhatanalogous action and inasmuch as I have in the specification thereof described the man ner in which the intermediate lever. foot may or may not accommodate the parts at wil Another feature of the aforesaid universal bar system which lends itself to desirable comblnation in a typewriter action is the manner in which the space bar may be associated with the escapement universal bar to thereby operate the latter.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a s ace bar 56 extends transversely across the rout of the machine and is pivotally carried on arms 57 and 57, said arms being pivotally mounted on lugs 57a and 57 'a turned out of one edge 13a of the channel 13.

Extensions 58 are pivotally mounted on each of said arms 57 and 57' as at 59, it being noted that the point 59 is in front of the pivotal mounting point of the space bar loverarms, the structure hereinafter described being illustrated for simplicity in connection with one space bar lever only, it being understood, however, that the same arrangement is used on both sides of the machine.

The extension 58 has a rearwardly extending part 60 which is bifurcated at 61 to embrace the pivot wire 18, and a forward portion 62. The latter arts extend over the portions 63' at each si e of the universal bar 40 so that when the space bar 56 is depressed the point 59 is carried downwardly and since the bifurcated portion 61 is held as a pivot, the parts 62 depress the bar 40 to operate the carnage escapement.

'Thisforegoing arrangement of a spacin bar is productive of a marked increase in e ficiency and uniformity of action since the leverage obtained by the articular constructionismarkedly increase over that obtained with the older actions. 'A slight touch of the though one end of said bar is blocked the other end of the same may be struck and the carriage thereby spaced in the ordinary man ner. This is of considerable importance since operators of typewriters frequently allow pencils, erasers or other objects to get between the space bar and the bottom of the machine. When this occurs and the keys are strucka complete disarrangement of the escapement mechanism frequently results. In my invention it is entirely possible that the depression of one end of the space bar is completely blocked by a pencil and yet actuation thereof from the other end produces the escapement of the carriage.

While I have described but one embodiment of my invention, it is obvious'that those skilled in the art may reach the same end and realize the same advantages by an individual utilization of the operative entities disclosed or by utilizing equivalents thereof and further that they may do this without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and I desire, therefore, that my said invention be broadly interpreted within the scope of the appended claims and be limited only by said claims and the scope of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a typwriter machine, a ribbon vibrating and feeding bar, an escapement operating bar, and intermediate levers pivoted in said machine and having foot portions arranged to strike said bars so that the distance from the point of contact on said levers to the pivot thereof progressively decreases as the side levers are approached, thefoot portions of certain of said intermediate levers being re cessed so that said escapement operating. bar is not engaged thereby.

2. In a typewriter machine, a ribbon vibrating and feeding bar, an escapement operating bar, and intermediate levers pivoted in said machine and having foot portions extending radially from the center of said machine to the front thereof and arranged to strike said bars so thatthe distance from the point of contact on said levers to the pivot thereof progressively decreases as the side lovers are approached, the foot portions of certain of said intermediate levers being recessed so that said escapement operating bar is not engaged thereby.

3. In a typewriter machine, a ribbon vibrating and feeding bar, an escapement operating bar, said bars being U-shaped and being mounted for pivotal movement near the ends of the arms of said U while the cross portions of said bars are parallel to each other, stop means limiting the movement of each of said bars in each direction, said means contacting with the ends of said arms, and intermediate levers pivoted in said machine and havingfoot portions arranged to strike said bars so that the distance from the point of contact on said levers to the pivot thereof progressivelydecreases as the side levers are ap-.

proached,the foot portions of certain of said intermediatelevers being recessed so that said escapement operating bar' is not engaged thereby.

of the arms of said U while the cross portions of said bars are parallelto each other, stop means limiting the movement of each of said bars in each direction, said means contacting with the ends of said arms, and intermediate levers pivoted in said machine and having foot portions extending radially from the center of said machine to the front thereof and arranged to strike said bars so that the distance from the point of contact on said levers to the pivot thereof progressively decreases as the side levers are approached, the foot portions of certain of said intermediate levers being recessed so that said escapement operating bar is not engaged thereby.

5. In a typewriter, an action including an escapement bar, a pivoted space bar lever, an actuator mounted on said lever forwardly of the pivot point of said lever and'overlying said bar and adapted to operate said bar upon depression of said lever, said actuator having its rear end pivotally mounted on a fixed part of the typewriter 6. In a typewriter, an action including an escapement bar, a pivoted space bar lever, an actuator pivotally mounted on said lever centrally of itself and forwardly of the pivotal mounting of said space bar lever and having its forward end overlying said bar and its rear ing said bar and pivoted rearwardly thereof at the sides of the machine, and flexible means connecting said levers to the escapement mechanism of the typewriter and comprising a pin and slot association permitting the de pression of one end of said bar while the other end is blocked. 1 l

8. In a typewriter, an action including a space bar mechanism comprising a bar strikable at the front of the machine, levers carrying said bar and ivoted rearwardly thereof at the sides of the machine, and carriage spacing means operable upon depression of one end of said bar while the other end is blocked, said means comprising an actuator on each of said levers, said actuators being pivoted to said levers forwardly of the pivotal mounting points thereof.

.9. In a typewriter, an action including an escapement bar, space bar mechanism comprising a bar strikable at the front of the other end is blocked, said means comprising an actuator on each of said levers, said actuators being pivoted to said levers forwardly of the pivoted points thereof and having their forward ends overlying said escapement bar and their rear ends restrained in a vertical direction.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my' name.

MAX GARBELL, 

